Indonesian Super Liga side Arema Malang - the club of National striker Noh Alam Shah and winger Ridhuan Muhammad - is reportedly in financial troubles.

The club management have been accused of not delivering on promises in their contract by their coach Robert Alberts and the players.

The Dutchman cited bonuses that were not paid after the team won the games as well as having to leave hotels because the club did not pay the bills.

Therefore, the Dutchman is giving the management the period after Christmas to pay up on the bonuses as well as other promises or else, the club 3-0 win over Copa Indonesia Champions Sriwijaya will be the last game for him and a number of players, including the foreigners, will depart as well.

The club is currently top of the Indonesian Super Liga with 27 points from 12 games.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Moroccan striker Abdelhadi Laakkad has returned to Woodlands Wellington just one year after leaving them as the club could not afford the player anymore.

It seem FAS decision to subsided foreigner wages have meant the forward have become more 'affordable' although his move to Home United back at the start of 2009 appeared to have collapsed as a result of the 32-year-old niggling injury problems.

Still, the forward return will be welcomed by the club fanbase and they will be delighted to know he is set to reach two milestone for the club as he is only 1 game away from making 100 appearances for the club and 3 goals away from becoming Woodlands Wellington all-time leading scorer.

He has scored 57 goals from 99 games for the Rams with, now Gombak United, striker Agu Casmir ahead of him with 59 goals from 97 games.

2009 top-scorer Aleksandar Duric says he has picked Tampines Rovers despite having “a couple of offers from other Indonesian teams” after his move to Copa Indonesia Champion Sriwijaya collapsed.

“After what happened with Sriwijaya, I did not want to talk to their teams anymore,” explained Duric, who saw a move to the Palembang team break down because of personal terms. “I had a good talk with Tampines, and they have a good team, so I decided to join them.”

And the 39-year-old striking abilities is appreciated by Stags coach Vorawan Chitavanich, unlike Sriwijaya, while admitting that he has not decided on his first-choice forward line for the new season yet as he has National striker Qiu Li and Khariul Amri on his book as well. Indeed, his striking options are well-loaded as he joked about leaving out Qiu Li: “I will try (the pairing of) Khairul Amri and Duric, because they play in the national team together and the communication and understanding is good.”

The club have signed midfielder Isamdi Mukhtar from Woodlands Wellington as well as experienced leftback Zahid Ahmad from Sengkang Punggol and is talking to a Young Lions defender – believed to be Shahir Hamzah.

Tampines Rovers claimed they have filled up all their foreigner slots despite only three are confirmed as they wait for Thai international Sutee Suksomkit.

Akihiro Nakamura was the earliest to be confirmed and now, the Eastern giant have retained the centre pairing of Japanese Seiji Kaneko and Frenchman Benoit Croissant at the back.Tampines Rovers coach Vorawan Chitavanich was delighted that the club managed to hold on to all their foreigners especially their two defensive assets after it seemed the pair would move on in the close season.

Japanese defender Kaneko – one of the more outstanding players of 2009 – was said to be seeking a move to Europe, while Frenchman Croissant, also strongly rumored to be leaving to seek a move to A-league.

Only the fourth – vacated by Thai attacking midfielder Sutee Suksomkit when he signed on with Australian side Melbourne Victory as a guest player in September – will remain open for now but it is left for the same man.

“We will wait for Sutee,” said Vorawan, who says that the 31-year-old has agreed to return to the Stags if Melbourne decide not to extend his deal.

It was thought that Sutee was favouring a return to his homeland if his Melbourne move does not work out, but Vorawan explained: “I have spoken to him, and he has agreed that if Melbourne does not extend his deal, he will come back to Tampines.”

The 25-year-old had a stint with the Protectors back in 2005, when he was serving his NS, but only make 1 appearance for the club as the management wanted to ease the player back into football after the near-end to his football career during his time with Sembawang Rangers when he was handed out an eight-month ban by the Football Association of Singapore for throwing a punch at Geylang United player Peter Bennett in an S-League match.

He has played 95 times for Young Lions and Tampines Rovers in all competition since then and has impressed National coach Raddy sufficiently to be called up to the squad for every match since June 2007 although he has yet to play a single game for the national team.

After weeks of talk that ex-international Noor Ali has move to Tampines Rovers, it can now be confirmed the 34-year-old is moving up North instead.

He is joining Woodlands Wellington as the Northern club looked to rebuild with youths and some experienced heads after dismantling their 2009 team and Noor Ali can be sure he will get the club captaincy.

Indeed, at this moment he is even older than his coach as the Rams appointed 33-year-old A. Shasi Kumar, who is Gombak United Prime League team manager, as head coach of their team.

Shasi is relishing his first crack at the helm of an S-League team and he had a good stint as caretaker coach for Gombak in 2008; having led the Bulls to an impressive 10 wins in their final 15 league games then.

“Looking at the players and the budget of the club for 2009, they have done an excellent job,” he said. “My aim for this batch is to improve on last year, in terms of the points total. We will also look to play good, attractive football.”

Taking a momentary glance at his players, he added: “We have a good mix of experienced and young players – I can tell you that this team will be hard to beat.”

Thursday, December 17, 2009

With Singapore youngest ever football side achieving an impressive feat of bronze in the SEA Games, it is now time to look beyond that and I am not talking about the next SEA Games but beyond that as well (Unless one believed the Mayan calendar and the world is ending in 2012 so no need to think)

The truth is in Asia, there are hardly any competitive tournament like the European U21 championship qualifiers etc to develop the lads in the crucial years in the U18-U23 age bracket.

That was why national coach Raddy wanted the SEA Games to become an U21 competition two years ago so the younger players have something to look forward to but it is a near-impossible task considering how FIFA, despite it powers, is also having problems changing the Olympic from U23 to U21.

The glory that awaits a number of FAs, who have a tough time in the senior level, is just too tempting and who can blame them.

Left with no choice then and the SEA Games as the only meaningful age-group competition for the U18-U23 age bracket for us - we cannot wait forever for Asian U21 championship qualifiers to develop - we need to replicate 2009 for future SEA Games as well.

By that, I mean a majority of this team can go on until 2014 SEA Games but it does not mean it has to be the case and instead, I believed the lifespan of most of this SEA Games team be ended by the 2011.

Why?

It is for Singapore own good as a new generation will need competitive competition by then and we can only fit in 22 players and out of that, less than 18 players will get any meaningful time on the pitch.

So the only way to expose more players to competitive matches at the U23 level will be to replicate 2009 and send younger team than any of our rivals thus restricting our players to a maximum of two SEA Games no matter how talented they are.

Afterall, we are not playing at the U23 level but at times even at the international level for we saw at this and past SEA Games, a number of teams are a near-replicate of their national team like the bronze medal match where the host team, Laos U23, has 13 of their players from the National Team.

It will then be a good expose for our U23 players; who need the experience of playing international games and we cannot get enough of them at the U23 level for the Olympic Games qualifiers is the only alternative but it happen only every 4 years and it is too long a wait.

It may not get us the gold on the platform at the SEA Games but if we do not do it for for an ASEAN age-group competition then where else.

For it could be worth gold for Singapore Lions future and we have to make a tough and right decision for the development of our players.

The decision on which of the two bids from five teams - DPMM Brunei, Super Reds, Beijing Guoan, Aussie team and French team - will be successful in joining the S-league for 2010 will be known next week.

Until now, the S'pore media - SPH and MediaCorp - agreed (and how many times do they do that) the Chinese bid from the CSL champions Beijing Guoan looked set to be a winner as they had assembled a squad that impress the FAS team that was send to China to inspect.

Beijing Guoan reportedly had a high number of players in the squad, they are sending to Singapore, whom National coach Raddy wanted to bring over to Singapore back in July.

That mean only 1 spot is left from the S-league 2010 season and DPMM Brunei and the Aussie side appeared to have no chance to a slim one as DPMM Brunei has yet to resolve the FIFA ban and FAS is unlikely to wait too long for them while the Aussie side want to be based in Darwin, Australia and, unlike DPMM Brunei, they do not appeared to be willing or able to absorb the extra expense local sides will incurred in traveling.

That mean a straight fight between the French side - reportedly to be named Olympique Victoire - and the Super Reds - to be known as Yishun Reds if they get the nod.

The Super Reds had fired the first shot in getting sponsorship deals from Korean MNCs and a budget not much less than what they are spending even if they turn local but the French side has return fire as they now parade a budget of over S$2 million backed by French MNCs based in the Republic as well as professional players from French Ligue two sides.

With both sides reportedly in the pink of health and well-financed by MNCs (A key point for S-league bids) it looked like a tight finish next week to see which out of the two will join Beijing Gouan or will they caused an upset and boot the CSL Champions.

The Singapore U23 has won bronze in the 25th SEA Games after they defeated host Laos 3-1 in the bronze medal match.

This meant the current Singapore U23 side has matched the previous batch results and this is a credit to the current U23 side as they are younger and most are in their debut year in professional football.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Singapore international and SAFFC defender Shaiful Eash is out of the SEA Games Bronze medal game as a result of the injury he suffered in the semi-final game against Vietnam U23

But, more worrying for Singapore is that the Asian Cup qualifier against Iran is early next month and from the S-league twitter, it appeared Shaiful Eash injury is quite serious and he may be a doubt for that game in Singapore at the National Stadium.

It will then be a terrible loss as the 23-year-old is the Lions set-piece specialist and his importance was highlighted in the last Asian Cup qualifier when it was his corner that found the head of Duric to secure the Lions first victory against Thailand in Bangkok in 34 years.

Home United looked set to be the main challenger to champions, SAFFC, as they secured the signing of Chilean attacking playmaker Nelson Marcelo San Martin Arriagada.

This was the player SAFFC had been looking at signing themselves last season to replace Thai player Thersdak Chaiman and only his expensive requests for much higher salary and accommodation than what SAFFC was willing to fork out saw the move collapsed.

Now, he has joined Home United and it was no doubt make possible by FAS subsidy - S$48000 for first new foreigner and S$24000 for second new foreigner - for clubs to sign better foreigners.

Nelson resume in the region is impressive as he played a key role in Kedah dominance in the Malaysian League from 06/07, the year he signed, until 07/08 season, where the club clinched the treble for two consecutive years.

After a successful three years in Malaysia, Nelson had to move on as the Malaysian League banned all foreigners and Nelson signed for Bangkok Glass after the SAFFC move collapsed

The Thai club reached the RHB Singapore Finals this year and finished third in their domestic League with the aid of the Chilean attacking playmaker.

It looked like he has the quality that could also transform Home as he team up with Brazilian midfielder Peres at the centre and few teams could match up to that kind of attacking talents.

Former Balestier Khalsa Aussie defender Jamie Alan Pitt is linked with a move to Young Lions after he was reportedly spotted having a trial with the Jalan Besar side.

The 20-year-old make his S-league debut midway through the season when he joined the struggling Tigers and perform reasonably well in his 12 appearances with the club.

Fueling this rumor further is stories about Young Lions releasing their Chinese forward Yang Mu; who score 4 goals in 18 appearances despite the team paying out a sizable S$19000 transfer fee* on him.

* S-league clubs seldom pay out transfer fee and the record is S$30000 paid by SAFFC to Sembawang Rangers to secure NazriNasir ;who helped to make the move possible by paying half of that money himself.

Instead of being Romanian playermarker, Daniel Rednic, who played for FC Baia Mare in Romanian Division II, it is now believed the Eagles are trying to sign Vasile Ghindaru; who is from "U" Cluj.

"U" Cluj is currently grouped in the same East Division of Romanian Division II as FC Baia Mare but have a brilliant chance of promotion to Romanian Division I as they are in third place, a place behind the promotion spot, at the halfway stage in the league.

On the local front for the Singapore Cup Champions, it is believed the Bedok club is closed to signing ex-Bulls captain Sevki Sha'ban edging out Home United - one of the Big 3 - for his signature. -->
They have already released striker Ashrin Shariff who scored 5 in 19 appearances for them while securing the service of striker MasrezwanMasturi

for for yet another year after he has perform well for them over the last 2 seasons.

The former Swede international also have much experience in UEFA club competition as Helsingborg qualified for UEFA Champions League in 2000/2001 season and Sandberg was part of the squad and he's played in the Uefa Cup qualifiers in 2007 and 2008.

Along with that, he was a part of CFR Cluj to league glory, thus qualify for the UEFA Champions League Qualifiers, at the time he was there.

The other former European international - former youth Croatian international - is Ivan Lovric, 24, who is a centreback (above, centre)

He has played for GOSK Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Kecskemeti (Hungary).

The last of the trio is Uruguayan striker Eduardo Federico Martinez Colombo, 25, (above, Left) and while he is not an international at any level, he also has an impressive resume having played for Uruguay giant Defensor Sporting in the 2002-03 season and in 2007, in Argentina, for Argentine giant Rosario Central.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Singapore football have been stabbed in the back again by MediaCorp as they broke their promise to bring you, Singaporean, LIVE action from Laos.

The match will now be shown as DELAYED TELECAST at 11 pm

So much for the called of support from MediaCorp TODAY editor and writer Leonard Thomas about the SEA Games football Gold being the most precious one.

Maybe he should be telling his own organisation about that as this is the second stabbing in consecutive month and MediaCorp is showing us, it is indeed Singapore national broadcaster by not broadcasting it as only a Singaporean company will do that.

Singapore U23 have taken a big step towards making the semi-final after defeating Myanmar U23 2-1 with goals from Safuwan Baharudin and Hariss Harun.

However, once again, it was SAFFC defender and set-piece specialist Shaiful Esah who was the hero as he created both goals with 2 corners swing in that met the head of the scorers.

The 23-year-old is showing himself to be an asset to all the teams he served - Singapore National Team, Singapore U23 and SAFFC - with his freekicks and corners and only has to learn to defend his wing better to be the complete player for Singapore.

Laos U23 beat Indonesia U23 2-0 to be joint-top with Singapore U23 with four points.

The idea of this blog - S-league player (it is now on the right) - is to give information on players who may not qualified (in my POV) for Hall of Fame at the main blog at S-league: Facts and Figures yet they cannot be forgotten as they have given their efforts in building up the S-league.

Also by having a separate blog, it will be easier for the viewers to search for the players they wishes to view as one can break them up at the links.

The players at the Hall of Fame will also be appearing there and in the main blog.

However, for the players not in the Hall of Fame, there be no writeup on their history in the S-league but stats like appearances and goals will be given

Singapore U23 draw with Indonesia U23 in their opening SEA Games match. The Cubs have taken a two-goal lead with goals from Muhammad Safuwan Baharuddin in the sixth minute and Shaiful Esah in the 24th before Indonesia replied through Stevie Bonsapia in the 42nd minute and Rendy in the 65th minute.

Laos U23 and Myanmar, the other two teams in the group, have also drawn their match 1-1 so all four teams are on 1 point.

The Warriors’ large-scale renewal exercise, which has saw them signed 3 top quality foreigners, with an emphasis on strengthening their position on the continent, has led to fears among neutrals that the 2010 edition of the S.League could turn into a one-horse race.

But while Bok saw no reason to apologize for his team’s hunger for continued success, he was keen to note that teams like Home United, Tampines Rovers and even fast-improving Gombak United will also strengthen themselves and rise to his side’s challenge.

“At SAFFC, we are professional, and we want to build teams that can win titles,” he said matter-of-factly.

“That has nothing to do with whatever we have done before, or what others want to do. For us, every competition we go into, we will try to win it.

“We always want to do better than what we are doing now. But it’s not only us; if you’ve been reading the news, Balestier (Khalsa) have said they are improving their team, and every other team is also going to be improved.

“Home has signed some new players, Gombak are keeping most of their existing players in what is still a relatively young team, and Tampines is still tough as well. I think that’s the way, and it is going to be another very competitive year for the league.”

SAFFC coach Richard Bok when quizzed on the club’s new foreign signings by the S-league website was coy as usual; taking care not to give away the players’ names but he gave more details.

He revealed all three senior recruits are new to the S.League.

Another feature common to all three is their towering physique, a point Bok highlighted as important towards the club’s ability to perform on the continent.

“The Croatian defender is 1.94m, the Uruguayan is 1.91, and the Swedish is about 1.89,” he said.

“In the continental game, I think you need big players to play well. Against our Southeast Asian opponents, I think we generally have an advantage, but against the big boys of the J-League or the K-League, we’re facing people averaging above 1.8m.

“I think their build will serve us well, and all three also possess good technical skills. The Croatian and the Uruguayan are also at about 25 or 26, which is a good age, while the Swedish is the most experienced, having been called up in the last two years or so.

“Hopefully they can show better quality than those who have already been here. I really don’t know if they will be better than Mirko or Peres, but I think they are definitely of great quality, and they’ll help us compete in the Champions League.”

Balestier Khalsa could be poised to make notable changes to their spending patterns in 2010, as they look towards strengthening their squad for the upcoming season.

The news comes after the Toa Payoh-based club had finished bottom of the league for a second consecutive year, an incidental outcome of the club’s current youth-based policy.

Under the policy, Balestier filled most of their roster with inexperienced players who were in their early twenties, many of whom had come through the club’s age-group ranks.

The result was a squad that often lost out to opponents who were populated with more seasoned players, thus keeping them in the lower reaches of the table in recent years.

But after years of living frugally, the Tigers’ financial position appears to be slowly improving, giving them a little more spending power this time around.

And club vice-chairman S. Thavaneson has promised to use some of that extra cash to recruit some older heads in a bid to lift the club off last place.

“Some of the youth players we have been developing have come through the system, and are ready to be considered full-fledged S.League players,” he told sleague.com.

“But these boys are still young, so they need some players with experience to start guiding them through. So our plan for 2010 is to strengthen the team with perhaps four more experienced players to link up with the group that has been coming through.

“Our revenue streams for this year have enabled us to take off most of our carry-forward losses, which is really heavy baggage. Now we can inject more of our money towards getting the better players we are looking for.

“We will certainly put up a far stronger challenge in 2010. I think our performance will be far better, and I am confident to say we are not going to finish in our ‘usual’ position.”

The club has already started rebuilding as they released all their foreigners - Chilean midfielder Julio Eduardo, Korean trio of Oh Ddog Yi, Oh In Kyun and Jun Jin, as well as Australian defender Jamie Alan Pitt.

In their place are believed to be Woodlands Wellington defender Daniel Hammond and former New Zealand defender Paul Cunningham.

Singapore Cup Champions Geylang United has also been linked with ex-Gombak United captain Sevki Sha'ban

The 25-year-old was released by the Jurong West club after he rejected his new contract with the club and he has also been linked with a move to Home United who need a defender after the retirement of their captain S.Subramani.He was recently called up to the senior side squad although he has yet to established himself with the Lions.

Two-time S-league Champions Home United will become a full professional team as defined by AFC.

That mean they will no longer hired part-time players from the Singapore Police Force thus the two players - Lionel Lewis and Rosman Sulaiman- currently with SPF will have to decide if they wish to be police officers or footballers.

National custodian Lionel Lewis has indicated in the press he will make that switch and would loved to continue signing with Home United although there are some problems as the Protectors would like him to take a bigger paycut than he is currently willing to accept.

This will take S-league one step closer to AFC criteria for ACL of having a professional League of only full professional teams.

At the same time, Home United website announced the signing of former Canadian youth international Sherif El Masri.

Sherif, is one of the player brought by FAS for the selection trials in November and he turns twenty next year and has played in both Canada and France. He has represented the Canadian Under-17s, scoring seventeen goals in ten matches.